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We Shall Never Forget

Because of our five-year age difference, my hubby and I have always had a running joke about where we were during 9/11. I first asked him this question in one of our late night phone calls after we'd just started dating. As so many of us vividly remember exactly what we were doing when the towers fell, so too did he.

He told me he was in his first year of flight school after college and that the base immediately grounded all of the planes. After telling a little more about the day, he asked me the same question. My response was a little different than his, "I was in my first period government and economics class."

We couldn't help but laugh in thinking how different of places we were in our lives at that time--me still in high school and him having completed college and starting his career as an aviator. Obviously we both got older and ended up meeting at a time when our worlds weren't so different, but we love thinking on times when that wasn't the case..."When you were 20, I still wasn't able to drive on my own... when you were starting kindergarten, I was just a few months old." While that particular 9/11 conversation is a funny memory for us, it also is a great illustration of what a monumental day it was in our country's history.

I don't think anyone, no matter what age, what place in their life, will ever forget where they were when the towers fell. And we shouldn't. We shouldn't forget those who went off to work that day and never came home. We shouldn't forget those who sacrificed their own lives in an attempt to save someone else's. There was a great amount of heartache and humility that day and the days to follow, and in a time when our country is seeming so divided, it would be great to cling to the latter of the two again. Let us remember the lives lost, the tears shed and the love found. We were all affected. And we shall always remember.

Gunner's daddy's "going home" outfit greeted guests at the sign in table, along with a framed "Southern gentleman in the making" print.

A variety of centerpieces graced the tables with groupings of baby mementos, flowers and photos.

An antique baby basket helped house the gifts.
The drink menu consisted of milk, apple juice (one of Lauren's cravings), fruit-infused water and coffee.
The menu was made of a variety of brunch goodies including fruit, doughnuts, muffins, shrimp and grits, breakfast casserole and a waffle bar.
And of course no shower is complete without a little something sweet. These b…

On Friday, June 28th, Jon and I headed out to see the gender of Baby Reutter. Jon wanted to find out as soon as possible, and I wanted to wait to be surprised with everyone at the reveal party the next day. So we decided that he would find out and be the one set up the "big reveal." Baby Reutter didn't want to cooperate on the first attempt but after some cold water, walking around and sweet patience from the ultrasound tech, we got the "money shot." I'm not going to lie, it was a bit torturous at first to not be in the know with Jon, but after the first few hours, I was good to go and so excited about the surprise for the next day. Here we are about to head out to the reveal appointment.
Now for the reveal party on Saturday...As mentioned before, I wanted a unique theme for the party. Since Jon is a pilot, I thought planes would be a cute idea for a boy. For the girl, I thought of pearls; they're sweet, feminine and also happen to be my birthsto…

Auden turned one on November 11th and we celebrated at our home with close family and friends. The theme of the party was pumpkins and pearls. Pun'kin is one of the nicknames I called her when she was little and pearls bring a girly flair and tied into our reveal party when we found out we were having a girl so it seemed perfect.

I had so much fun creating her invitation and all of the party printables. And for a little extra adornment, the invites were tied with jute twine and placed in scalloped envelope. Invites available for purchase here.

Here's the sweet birthday girl in her homemade hat. I love how the bow on top turned out :) Her birthday stats poster is now available here.

The smash cake table with our go-to milk jars (Starbuck frappuccino glasses) with paper straws. The tree slab plate they are sitting on was also used at our wedding. The smash cake was a $10 cake from Public and Auden LOVED …